UH Regent Urges Hawaii Congressional Delegation to Oppose War

Chairperson Kobayashi stresses economic impact of war on state's education system

In a recent letter to the Hawaii congressional delegation, University of Hawai'i Board of Regents Chairperson Bert A. Kobayashi urged law makers to consider the devastating effect war will have on Hawai'i‘s local economy as well as the national economy.

The University of Hawai'i system derives a significant share of its operating budget from state revenues. During the Persian Gulf War, Hawai'i‘s economy suffered irreparable damage resulting in years of cutbacks to the University system. Kobayashi said that another war will again cause significant damage to the University and to the state‘s education system as a whole.

Students and faculty are also concerned about the lasting impact a war with Iraq would have on the state. In January, the UH Student Caucus, UHPA, Not In Our Name (UH_NION) and the University Peace Initiative coordinated a University-wide letter writing campaign aimed at showing President George W. Bush that the state of Hawai'i is against war. Organizers hope their effort will help citizens voice their opposition and encourage President Bush to pursue a peaceful resolution. The coalition plans to present the letters to Senator Daniel Inouye in late February so that he may send them to the White House.

For more information or to participate, please visit www2.hawaii.edu/~peacelet or email peacelet@hawaii.edu